Page 72 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

FORMULAIC ANALYSIS

• Comparing the formulaic patterns in different genres establishes
a way of understanding how a culture chooses to understand and
value certain symbolic characters and actions.
• Examining formulaic elements in a genre can provide insight into
corresponding cultural attitudes, values, behaviors, trends, preoc-
cupations, and myths that define the culture.
• A formulaic approach considers variations within the formula in
generic programming.
• Formulaic analysis provides a way to identify similarities in dis-
similar programming.

1. Identify the formulaic elements characteristic of a genre (e.g., reality
shows). What would we expect to see in these program categories?
Focus on the following elements in the analysis: function, premise,
structure, plot motifs, and conventions.
a. Detective show
b. Quiz show
c. Afternoon talk show
d. The network news

What messages are conveyed by this formulaic configuration?

2. Analyze a sample of programs from a particular genre (e.g., reality
shows, or TV news broadcasts). What media messages can you identify
through an analysis of one of the following formulaic elements?
a. Formulaic premise
b. Formulaic structure
c. Formulaic plot
d. Stock characters
e. Formulaic set
f. Trappings
3. Select a sample of programs belonging to the same genre, focusing
on variations that occur within the formula.
a. Identify the variations that occur.
b. What is the significance of these variations with respect to
themes, worldview, and messages in the program?
4. Based on your understanding of the evolution of formula, examine
a sample of programs that belong to a genre which has reached the
Mature phase of development (see p. 33).
a. Have these shows broken through the formula? Explain.

57